Canonical releases second beta of Ubuntu 11.04 'Natty Narwhal'

LINUX DISTRIBUTION Ubuntu has released the second beta of Ubuntu 11.04, 'Natty Narwhal', just two weeks before final release.

Canonical, the firm behind the Ubuntu Foundation has brought out the second and what is likely to be the final beta of Ubuntu 11.04, codenamed 'Natty Narwhal'. The second beta includes updates to the Linux kernel, which is now at version 2.6.38, plus X.org 1.10, GCC 4.5, Python 2.7 and Libre Office 3.3.2, and Firefox 4 becomes the default web browser.

Ubuntu has also made changes to the naming structure of the distribution, with the Netbook and Desktop Edition monikers being dropped to create just one Ubuntu. Ubuntu's Server Edition has also had its name shortened, becoming just Ubuntu Server.

With less than two weeks to go before Ubuntu 11.04 is set to hit the download mirrors, Canonical's head of communications, Gerry Carr, confirmed to The INQUIRER that everything is on schedule. Carr said, "Beta 2 was released today on time. The release candidate will be available on the 21st as scheduled. There are no issues with releasing final code on the 28th for both Ubuntu and Ubuntu Server."

Canonical is pinning its hopes on Ubuntu 11.04 and its new Unity interface. It will be the first release to feature Unity as the default graphical user interface in place of Gnome. One of Unity's headline features is support for multi-touch input support. The first beta of Ubuntu 11.04 received mixed reviews with some complaining of a poor level of finish with some bugs still present.

With a release candidate less than a week away and the final version set to arrive a week after that, Canonical is working hard to make sure that Unity's big first appearance on stage will go off without a hitch. µ